Toy



June 5, 1962 R. w. THOMASON 3,037,321

TOY

Filed July 3, 1961 United States Patent O This invention relates to toys and more particularly to a rolling type toy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling type toy which can be effectively controlled by the operator to provide various manipulations, effects, and rolling actions which can be improved with the skill of the operator.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toy of the type described which can be readily manipulated after skillful practice, to provide a series of amusing effects and tricks which can be of entertaining value to persons of various age groups.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a rolling toy bearing the `above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eicient in operation.

-For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front plan view of the toy shown in FIG- URE 1 in an lassembled relationship; and

FIGURES 3 to 6 of the drawing are diagrammatic views illustrating various positions of the toy during manipulation thereof.

Referring now to the drawing, a rolling toy made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a main pulley 12 s'ecured upon a transversely extending shaft 14 which rollably supports a pair of disc type wheels 16 thereupon. The wheels 16 are secured in assembled relationship with the pulley 12 and shaft 14 by means of a pair of terminal hubs 18 which are secured to the opposite end of the shaft 14.

A tiexible cable 20 has one end connected to the pulley 12, with the opposite end thereof being connected to a central portion of a transverse bar 22 mounted upon one lower end of `a handle shaft 24 having a hand grip 26 mounted upon the opposite end thereof.

It will be recognized that this device can be readily fabricated in various sizes, of either wood or plastic material, and can be so arranged as to require no fasteners of any type. The central pulley 12 is of slightly smaller diameter than the wheels 16, and is provided with a central groove 13 for Windingly receiving the cable or string 20 therewithin.

In actual use, the string is completely wound upon the pulley with the end thereof extending from the top side of the pulley. The reaction of the string and pulley holds 3,037,321 Patented June 5, 1962 lCe the wheels 16 iirmly in front of the guide handle, whereby the pulley can be easily manipulated. To effect a roll and return of the pulley wheel, the end of the string 20 must extend from the bottom of the pulley 12, which may be accomplished by shifting the guide handle to the opposite side of the pulley from the steering position, or by throwing the pulley to the end of the string, during which it is permitted to drop to the iloor, and provided with a slight backward and upward pull upon the guide handle. By preventing a slack in the string, the cable will rewind upon the string and return. This operation can be repeated as many times as is desired.

yOf course, Various other types of operations can be accomplished with this apparatus, various combinations and arrangements, so that detailed discussion thereof is not believed to be in order. However, by improving the skill of the operator, the operator can establish sufficient control over the apparatus to execute a variety of tricks `and vfeats of a highly entertaining and skillful m-anner.

While Various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A rolling toy comprising, in combination, a pulley, a shaft mounted upon said pulley, a set of wheels rotatably mounted upon said shaft -rollably supporting said pulley, a handle, and a iiexible cable secured at opposite ends to said pulley and said handle.

2. The combination according to claim l, wherein said pulley comprises a wheel having a peripheral groove, said pulley wheel being of Slightly smaller diameter .than said set of wheels.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said set of Wheels are of substantially identical disc shaped configuration mounted on opposite sides of said pulley upon said shaft and centrally supporting said pulley wheel for rotation therebetween.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein said handle comprises `a Shaft having a hand grip at one end, and a transversely extending rod at the opposite end, said transversely extending rod having a central mounting for one end of said cable.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said tlexible cable comprises a length of string secured `at one end to said handle and secured at the opposite end to the interior of said peripheral groove of said pulley wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,923,019 De Silva Aug. 15, 1933 2,381,581 Entringer Aug. 7, 1945 2,601,006 Rodabaugh June 17, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,603 Great Britain L 1910 

